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Nourishing, budget-friendly soups to warm you up

Korina Richmond
Time to read: 4 minutes

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2 round bowls of pumpkin soup with a linen napkin on the left and 4 slices of baguette on the right.
Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the family, soups are a great go-to for busy nights, meal prep or making the most of what you already have at home. Here’s how to make the most of budget-friendly soups – plus some easy ideas to get you started.

✅ Why soups are a great budget-friendly option

Soups are one of the easiest ways to make your food budget go further. By using affordable ingredients like canned beans, lentils, frozen vegies and pantry staples, you can create filling meals without spending a lot. They’re also great for using up leftovers and helping reduce food waste. Plus, soups can be made in big batches, making them perfect for meal prep or freezing for later – saving both time and money.

✅ How to make nourishing soups with simple ingredients

Making a nutrient-packed soup doesn’t need fancy ingredients. Start with a base like onion, garlic and herbs for flavour, then add vegies, legumes or wholegrains to make it hearty and satisfying. Using low-salt stock, canned tomatoes or even water with herbs can help build flavour. Aim to include a variety of vegies for colour and nutrients, and add beans, lentils or lean protein such as chicken to help keep you full.

✅ Tips to boost flavour without extra cost

You don’t need expensive ingredients to make soup taste great. Try sautéing onion, garlic and spices at the start to build flavour. Dried herbs, spices, and pantry staples like curry powder or paprika can add depth without adding cost. A squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of vinegar at the end can brighten flavours, while using the whole vegetable (like stems and leaves) helps you get the most out of your ingredients.

✅ 5 simple vegie-packed soup recipes to try at home

1. Chicken and vegetable noodle soup

  2 serves of vegies

Chicken noodle soup in a bowl 

Our delicious chicken and vegetable noodle soup recipe is packed with nutrients, with plenty of veg, tender chicken and wholegrain noodles. It’s a nourishing, budget-friendly favourite that’s perfect for the whole family.

2. Vegie pasta soup

  2.5 serves of vegies

A round white bowl containing vegetable and pasta soup on a timber board

With lots of vegetables and wholemeal pasta, our vegie pasta soup is a good source of fibre. Eating a diet high in fibre can help reduce your risk of bowel cancer. 

3. Classic pumpkin soup

  4.5 serves of vegies

2 round bowls of pumpkin soup with a linen napkin on the left and 4 slices of baguette on the right.

A smooth and comforting pumpkin soup made with only a handful of ingredients. This super simple recipe is full of flavour and perfect for cooler days.

4. Red lentil soup

  2.5 serves of vegies

red lentil soup in a white bowl served on a round plate sitting on a white cutting board with a soup spoon, jug of water and white napkin on the side.

Our red lentil soup is a simple, one-pot recipe that’s full of flavour and easy to make. Packed with vegies and pantry staples, it’s a nourishing, budget-friendly option that works well for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.

5. Harira – Moroccan beef, tomato, lentil and chickpea soup

  2.5 serves of vegies

2 round bowls containing beef, lentil and chickpea soup. In front are 3 slices of bread stick and at the back a round bowl containing lemon segments. A napkin sits between the bowls of soup.

Warm, hearty and full of flavour, this Moroccan-inspired harira is a nourishing mix of beef, lentils and chickpeas. Packed with vegies and spices, it’s a comforting, budget-friendly meal that’s perfect for sharing.

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